Oscillatory baby crib



Juiy 17, 1962 A. D. NEAL 3,044,079

OSCILLATORY BABY CRIB Filed May 23, 1960 i'ig Patented July l?, 1962.

3,944,679 OSCILLATRY BABY C Albert D. Neal, Los Angeles, Caiif., assignor to Stroilee of California, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation.

of California Filed May 23, 1960, Ser. No. 31,057 10 Claims. (Cl. 5-102) This invention relates to a baby crib and, more particularly, relates to a crib that is resiliently suspended for oscillatory motion.

One problem to which the invention is directed is to provide a combination of a support frame and a crib resiliently suspended thereon, which combination may be readily stored in compact form when not in use. This problem is solved Vby providing a folding support frame and by providing a separable collapsible crib. The collapsible crib comprises a rigid rectangular frame that forms the rim of the crib, a relatively rigid member to form the bottom of the crib, and liexible sheet means which suspends the bottom member from the frame and forms the end and side walls of the crib.

Another problem is to provide a simple and economical construction for the foldable support frame. In the preferred practice of the invention, this problem is solved by simply interconnecting two U-shaped tubular members. Each of the U-shaped tubular members forms a pair of legs that are interconnected at their lower ends and extend above the crib on opposite sides of the crib. The two U-shaped members are inclined to converge at their upper ends and are hinged together at their upper ends.

A feature of the invention is the provision of two means to interconnect the two shaped members below their hinges. One ofthe two interconnecting means comprises a pair of rigid memberson opposite sides of the support frame to which the crib is resiliently attached for supporting the crib on the frame in a yielding manner that permits the crib to be manually oscillated relative to the frame. The two rigid members are releasable from the frame to permit the crib to be separated from the frame and to release the frame for folding action. The

other connecting means comprises collapsible means in the form of two elongated flexible members such as short chains or cables interconnecting the two U-shaped memarms on opposite sides of the support frame that may be swung upwardly into hooked engagement with the crib. At their effective positions, the two hook arms on each side of the frame incline upwardly in opposite directions to anchor the crib to the frame in a stable manner.

The various features and advantages of the invention may be understood from the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawing.

In thedrawing, which is to be regarded as merely illustrative:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. la is a fragmentary elevational view showing how a central rigid means on each side of the crib may be releasably mounted on the supporting frame of the crib;

FIG. 2 is an end elevation of the crib;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the crib;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary-perspective View showing how hook arms on each side of the crib may be used to immobilize the crib relative to the support frame;

FIG. 5` is a side elevation view of the support frame in folded state and the separated crib in collapsed state;

and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary section taken as indicated by the line 6-6 of FIG. l showing how a hook armf' is mounted on the support frame.

The principal parts of the selected embodiment of the invention include: a crib, generally designated C; a rst pair of legs 10 rigidly interconnected below the crib and extending above the crib on `opposite sides of the crib; a second similar pair of legs 12 that are interconnected below the crib and extend .above the crib on opposite sides of the crib, the two pairs of legs being inclined to convergeat their upper ends; means interconnecting the two pairs of legs 10 and l2 to cooperate therewith to form a support frame for the'crib, the interconnecting means including a hinge 14 on each side of the support frame interconnecting the upper end of the correspond-` ing legs l0 and l2, the interconnecting means also including a collapsible means 15 on each side of the support frame interconnectinglthe two pairs of legs at an intermediate level; ycentral means 16 on each side of the support frame adapted for releasable mounting on the corresponding legs 10 and 12; a pair of coil springs 1S on each side of the crib extending downward from the central means 16 towards the opposite ends of the crib to points of connection with the crib for resiliently suspending the crib from the support frame; and means comprising a pair of pivoted hook arms 2t) on opposite sides of the support frame to releasably engage the crib to immobilize the crib relative to the support frame.

The crib C may comprise a rigid rectangular frame 22 made of metal tubing, a relatively rigid bottom plate 24 and sheet material in the form of a rectangular bag of suitable fabric for suspending Athe bottom plate from the rectangular frame, the bag forming the two fabric side walls 25 and the two fabric end walls 26 of the crib. The bottom plate 24 may, for example, be a perforated tiberboard panel. The fabric bag is secured to the rectangular frame 22 by forming the upper edge of the bag with numerous flaps 28 which are folded inward over the rectangular frame 22. and are secured to the fabric side walls `25 and the fabric end Walls 26 by suitable snap fasteners 30.

In the present embodiment lof the invention, the legs 1t) are the two upwardly extending legs of a U-shaped tubular member so that the two legs are rigidly interconnected at their lower ends by a -transverse portion 32 of the tubular member. In the same manner, the two legs 12 may also be provided by a U-shaped tubular member with' a transverse portion 33 of the tubular member interconnecting the lower ends of the legs. The four upper open ends of the two tubular members may be provided with suitable plugs 34 to cover the raw edges of the tubular members.

Preferably at least one of the pairs of legs is 4provided -with wheel means to facilitate movement of the crib `from one location to another. In the construction shown, the U-shaped member that forms the pair of legs 10 is slightly shorter than rthe U-shaped member that forms the pair of legs 12 land is provided with a pair of small i wheels 35. As indicated in FIG. 2, the wheels 35 are mounted on an axle rod 36 that extends through the transverse portion 32 of the U-shaped member. Tubular spacers 38 on the axle rod 36 keep the wheels 30 out of contact with the U-shaped member. Since the U-shaped member that forms the two legs '12 is not provided with wheels, the two legs 12 provide a desirable tendency for the crib 'to remain stationary. It is a simple matter,

v moving the crib on the two wheels 35.

Each of the four legs Vand 12 is provided with a laterally outwardly extending threaded stud spaced ashort distance below :the vupper end of the leg. The purpose of these studs is toreleasably clampthe two central means 16 on the opposite sides of the support frame and, for thisl purpose, each of the threaded studs is provided with a suitable thumb nut `42. In the construction shown, each of the two centralmeans 16 is'in the form of a short flat bar which, as best shown in FIG. la, `is Vprovided with two downwardly opening slots 44 .to engage the corresponding threaded4 studs 40;

The -two oppositely extending .coil springs 18 on each coil springs hook into small apertures 45 at the opposite v ends of the central -rneans 16. Y The outer end of each of the two springs on each side4 ofthe crib hooks into an n The manner in which the invention serves its purpose may lbe readily understood fromV the foregoing description. tubular support frame solely by the four resiliently yieldable coil springs 18. Because of this spring suspension arrangement, a baby in the crib may be lulled to sleep simply by exerting light intermittent Lfinger pressure downward against the rim of the crib C'to cause the crib to oscillate or bounce in a gentle manner. This bouncing action lis especially effective fora baby'having colic.

If it is desired to immobilize the crib C so that it will not oscillare inV response to lightly applied forces, the hook anms 20 are used. As best shown in VFIG. 4, the four hook arms are engaged with thecorresponding four metal brackets 47. If the crib is lightly loaded, it is necessary to pull the crib slightly downward in opposition to the Icoil springs 18 to bring the metal brackets within range of the hook arms. On the other hand, if the crib is heavily loaded, it may be Vnecessary to apply light apertured ear 46 of a corresponding metal bracket 47 that is xedly mounted on the rectangular frame 22 by suitable fastening means such as screws and nuts 48.

It is important to note that the two springs 18 inclineA downward towards their points of connect-ion with the rectangular frame 22 and thatwhen the crib is empty, as

in FIGS. l and 2, the two springs 18 are at low angles purpose, each of .the brackets 47 is also formed with a,

laterally extending ear Si) that is apertured for releasable engagement with the corresponding 'hook arm 20. VAs best shown in FIG. V6, each of the hook armsV 2i) has Van end portion S2 that is bent to a right angle to extend through xa pair of diametrically located bores in the corresponding tubular -leg 10 or 12. The end portion `52 is threaded to receive a suitable nut 54. The swingingV end of each hook arm is also bent to form a hook portionr 55 to engage the ear 50 of the corresponding metal bracket 47. Each ear 50 is bent to lie in .the same plane asthe shank of the corresponding hook arm whenthe hook `arm engages the ear. p

In FIG. 6, which is a section through the tubular leg 10 in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the leg, it may be seen :that the end'portion 52 of the hook member 20 is canted in the sense that it is at a slight angle away from -a dotted line S6 that is perpendicular to the side of the crib. The purpose of the canting of the end portion 52 of the hook arm is to cause the hook arm to rotate Y in an inclined plane so that when each hook arm is swung from a lower idle position shown in FIG. 1 lto an upper hooking position shown in FIG. 4, the hook portion 55 of the hook arm will shift across the space that 'separates the corresponding metal bracket 47 from the plane of the :two ilegs V1i! and 12 on the corresponding side of the crib.V FIG. 6 shows in dotted lines at 20a the position ofthe hook arm 20 at its lower idle position 'closely adjacent the corresponding tubular leg and shows in solid lines the engagement position of the hook arm at which the lhook a-rm diverges away from the tubular leg towards the crib.

The collapsible means 1S for interconnecting the two U-shaped members on each side of the crib may be an elongated liexi'ble means such as Ya chain or cable. In this instance, the collapsible means 15 is a short length of chain, the opposite ends of which are anchored to the correspondinglegs 10 and V12 by the end portions 52 of the hook 4arms 20. Y

lifting force to the crib to elevate the brackets 47 suiiiciently for engagement by the hook arms 20. in either event, the crib C will -be immobilized in a stable manner.

Since both a central means 16 and -a chain 1S interconnect thetwo U-shaped members 10 ,and 12 on opposite sides, the support frame is doublyV secured against spreading action as a safeguard. Since the two central `means 16 are tightly clamped against the sides of the U-shaped tubular members by the thumb nuts 42, the

two central means Yhave the additional useful function of lending rigidity to the .support iframe.

I-f it is desired to separate the crib C from ythe support frame, it i-s la simplematter .to loosenY the four thumb nuts 42 and then lift the crib'to disengage the two central means i6 from the corresponding studs 40. When the crib is separated from the support frame, the support iframe is prevented'from'collapsing by the two chains 15.

' chains 15 simply 'collapse into a loop. .Since the end and side walls ofthe crib C are made of flexible fabric sheet material, the cri-b readily collapses to the configura tion shown, the bottom of the crib being close to the rectangular frame 22. It is apparent that the collapsed structure will readily pass through the doors of even small automobiles.

A further feature of the invention is that by virtue of the snap fasteners 30, the fabric bag may be quickly and conveniently separated from the rectangular frame 22. The bottoni member 24 may then be lifted out of the bag to permit the bag to be laundered. It is also a simple matter to replace a fabric bag completely when desired.

My description in specific detail of the selected embodiment of theiinvention will suggest various changes, substitutions and other departures from my disclosure within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim: i l

l. An article of baby furniture, comprising: an elongated crib; a rst pair of legs and a second pair of legs straddling the two longitudinal halves respectively of the crib, the legs of each of said pairs being rigidly interconnected below the crib and extending upward above the crib on opposite sides of the crib, said twopairs of legs converging at their upper ends and being pivotally connected together at their upper ends to form a foldable support frame for the crib; rigid means on the opposite sides respectively of the support frame interconnecting the two pairs of legs below their pivotal connection to lend rigidity to the support frame; two coil springs on each side of the crib resiliently connecting the corresponding rigid means with the longitudinal sides of the crib for yielding suspension of the crib from the support frame with freedom FIG. l shows the crib C 'suspende-dimm the for the crib to oscillate longitudinally on the springs, said two coil springs being inclined downward in opposite longitudinal directions from the rigid means to points of connection with the crib, said rigid means being releasable from the support frame for separation of the crib therefrom and to free the support frame for folding; and means to releasably connect the crib to the support frame to substantially immobilize the suspended crib relative to the support frame.

2. A combination as set forth in claim l which includes means interconnecting the two pairs of legs below their upper ends to keep the two pairs of legs from spreading apart when the crib is separated from the support frame, said interconnecting means being collapsible to permit the support frame to be folded.

3. A combination as set forth in claim 2 in which said interconnecting means comprises elongated flexible means.

4. An article of baby furniture, comprising: a rigid elongated rectangular frame to form the rim of a crib; a relatively rigid member to form the bottom of the crib; flexible sheet material forming the ends and side walls of the crib, said flexible sheet material suspending said bottom member from said rectangular frame member to complete the crib and to make the crib collapsible for -storage or transportation; a rst pair of legs and a second pair of legs straddling the two longitudinal halves respectively of the crib, the legs of each of said pairs being Arigidly interconnected below the crib and extending upward above the crib on opposite sides of the crib, said two pairs of legs converging at their upper ends and being hinged together at their upper ends to form a foldable support frame for the crib; rigid means on the opposite sides respectively of the support frame interconnecting the two pairs of legs to lend rigidity to the support frame; two coil springs on each side of the crib resiliently connecting the corresponding rigid means with the longitudinal sides of said rectangular frame for yielding suspension of the crib Ifrom the support frame with freedom for the crib to oscillate longitudinally on the springs, said two coil springs being inclined downward in opposite longitudinal directions from the rigid means to points of connection with the rectangular frame, said rigid means being releasable from the support frame lfor separation of the crib from the support frame and to free the support frame for folding; a pair of hook -arms pivotally mounted on each side of said support frame to extend upward towards the opposite ends of the crib in releasable hook engagement with said rectangular frame to substantially immobilize the crib relative to the frame; and means interconnecting the two pairs of legs below their upper ends to keep the two pairs of legs from spreading apart when the crib is separated from the support frame, said interconnecting means being collapsible to permit the support frame to be folded.

5. A combination as set forth in claim 4 which includes two brackets for the two coil springs respectively on each side of said rectangular frame, the outer ends of said coil springs being connected to the two brackets respectively and the brackets being apertured for engagement by said hook arms respectively.

6. A combination as set forth in claim 4 in which each of said rigid means has a pair of spaced downwardly open slots; in which said two pairs of legs have laterally extending threaded studs to engage said slots respectively; and which includes manually rotatable nut means on said studs to releasably clamp the rigid means against the legs.

7. An article of baby furniture, comprising: an elongated crib; a rst pair of legs and a second pair of legs straddling the two longitudinal halves respectively of the crib, the legs of each of said pairs being rigidly interconnected below the crib and extending upward above thev crib on opposite sides .of the crib, said two pairs of legs converging at their upper ends and being pivotally connected together at their upper ends to form a foldable support frame for the crib; elongated flexible means interconnecting the two pairs of legs at intermediate points thereof on kopposite sides of the crib to limit the divergence of the twoV pairs of legs without interfering with the folding of the two pairs of legs; rigid means on the opposite sides respectively of the support frame interconnecting the two pairs of legs above said flexible means and below the pivotal connections of the legs to make the support frame rigid; and two coil springs on each side of the crib resiliently connecting the corresponding rigid means with the longitudinal sides of the crib for yielding suspension of the crib from the support frame with freedom for the crib to oscillate longitudinally onV the springs, said two coil springs being inclined downward in opposite longitudinal directions from the rigid means to points of connection with the crib, said rigid means being releasable from the support frame for separation of the crib therefrom and to free the support frame for folding.

8. A combination as set forth in claim'7 in which each of said rigidv means has a pair of spaced downwardly open slots; and in which said two pairs of legs have laterally extending studs to engage said slots respectively whereby lifting the crib relative to the frame lifts the two rigid means out of engagement with said studs for separation of the crib from the frame and freeing of the crib for foldmg.

9. A combination as set forth in claim 7 in which said studs are threaded and which includes manually rotatable nut means on the studs to releasably clamp the rigid means to prevent inadvertent disengagement of the rigid means from the studs.

10. An article of baby furniture, comprising: an elongated crib; a lirst pair of legs and a second pair of legs straddling the two longitudinal halves respectively of the crib, each of said pairs of legs being interconnected at their lower ends below the crib, said two pairs of legs converging and being pivotally interconnected to form a foldable support frame for the crib; collapsible means interconnecting the two pairs of legs on the opposite sides of the crib to limit the angle at which the two pairs of legs diverge without interfering with the folding of the legs; and means releasably connecting said crib to the support frame to permit the crib to be separated and lifted away from the support frame and to permit the support frame to be folded and stored separately from the crib, said releasable connecting means engaging the two pairs of legs at points spaced apart longitudinally of the crib, said releasable connecting means including a pair of springs on each side of the crib, the springs of each pair being spaced apart and extending in opposite directions longitudinally of the crib to suspend the crib for longitudinal oscillation.

References Cited` in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 170,418 Van Dervort Dec. 23, 1875 1,209,679 Decker Dec. 26, 1916 2,908,021 Fulton Oct. 13, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 19,252 Great Britain 1892 65,250 Germany Nov. 2, 1892 188,514 Great Britain Nov. 16, 1922 

